TORONTO — The late-night talk show landscape is about to change, with the announcement Wednesday that Mike Bullard is jumping from CTV to Global Television.

The surprise signing of Bullard to a multi-year deal with CanWest Global will allow him to contribute to CanWest's newspaper and online properties in addition to his late-night hosting duties, said a statement from Global.

Bullard, 46, said the contract means he'll do 195 shows a year through his own production company Aspire, whereas at the Comedy Network and CTV, he was on hiatus for 12 weeks a year.

"I cannot stomach time off, especially when you're doing a late night talk show which should be topical," Bullard said in an interview.

"I'm not ungrateful. I really thank CTV for putting me on television and the six years I spent there but opportunities are available here which weren't available there."

Bullard noted that the increase in the number of shows "puts me in the same league as Letterman and Leno, what they do."

He also said he was encouraged to make the move by Global television anchor Kevin Newman -- who he knew in his high school days.

Bullard's options with the Comedy Network and CTV expired on June 25 at midnight, he said, and he didn't begin any talks with Global until the deadline passed.

His vision for the new show and information about a change in venue will come out "once the dust settles," he said.

After the show is on the air, Bullard expects to add a weekly newspaper column to his mix of responsibilities. One idea being bandied about is a humorous advice column "which really doesn't give sensible advice."

Over at CTV, an official said that ultimately, it was Bullard's decision to leave the show Open Mike with Mike Bullard.

"He had certain ambitions about paper and new media things, and he chose Global," said Ed Robinson, a CTV executive and president and general manager of the Comedy Network.

When asked if Bullard was offered the chance to write a column for the Globe and Mail, Robinson laughed and said "no."

Robinson said they were aware that Bullard was having "other conversations."

"Personally, I'm disappointed. This is a show that we developed starting with the Comedy Network six years ago and it's had a great run.

"I wish Mike only the very best. He's a talented guy and ambitious guy and that's all good."

Robinson noted that Bullard gets very restless when he's not working, but CTV couldn't add a lot of air time for financial reasons.

The deal with Global takes effect Aug. 25, and the talk-variety show will have its premiere in the fall, likely October, said Rick Camilleri, an executive at CanWest Global.

He said the signing of Bullard is part of an evolving strategy at the company.

"Our passion is for developing high-quality Canadian content and Canadian stars, and multimedia stars that we can then take to a worldwide audience," said Camilleri.

Bullard added that there is a "strong, strong possibility" of a foreign sale in an English-speaking market.

It's not known yet whether his band will follow him to Global.

"Yes -- well the offer will be made," Bullard said. "They're not aware of the situation, although I'm sure they are now."

"I played my cards very close to the vest on this one."

Camilleri said Bullard's move to Global came about after a chance meeting at the Walk of Fame awards in Toronto this spring.

"One party went up to the other one, said something, the other party was interested, and here we are a month later," said Camilleri.

Bullard is a ubiquitous presence at charity events in the Toronto area, and has had a career spanning more than a decade as a stand-up comic. He worked for Bell Canada until eight years ago.

"You're going to continue to see Mike flourish, doing what he does best, which is his late-night talk show, and our goal is basically just continue to grow that audience, evolve the show," said Camilleri.